Pivot bearing

Abstract

A pivot bearing arrangement, in particular a pivot bearing for a front wheel suspension system of a motorcycle, is provided that substantially reduces bearing breakaway torque, temperature sensitivity, complexity, space requirements and cost. The pivot bearing arrangement includes a first bearing part which enables a component to pivot about a first pivot axis, and a second bearing part which enables a component to pivot about a second pivot axis. The two bearing parts are connected to each other and form a structural unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pivot bearing for a front wheel suspension system of a motorcycle, comprising:
 a first bearing part configured to permit a first component supported thereon to pivot about a first pivot axis; and 
 a second bearing part which permits a second component supported thereon to pivot about a second pivot axis, 
 wherein
 the first and second pivot axes intersect, 
 the second bearing part has an axial length centered on the first pivot axis, and 
 the first and second bearing parts are coupled to form a structural unit. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one of the first bearing part and the second bearing part include at least one rolling contact bearing. 
 
     
     
       3. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the at least one rolling contact bearing is a tapered roller bearing. 
 
     
     
       4. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the at least one rolling contact bearing includes at least two tapered roller bearings, 
 a pair of the at least two tapered roller bearings is located on at least one of the first bearing part and the second bearing part, and 
 the pair of the at least two tapered roller bearings is arranged in inclined relation to one another on a common one of the first or second pivot axes. 
 
     
     
       5. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the first bearing part includes a bearing housing in which a pin is rotatably mounted co-axially with the first pivot axis, 
 the second bearing part includes an outer bearing shell in which a clamping bushing is rotatably mounted co-axially with the second pivot axis, and 
 the outer bearing shell is formed at least one of coupled to and integral with the pin. 
 
     
     
       6. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 a cylindrical portion of the pin facing away from the clamping bushing is hollow and includes a free edge flanged radially outward. 
 
     
     
       7. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 the clamping bushing is arranged in a portion of the pin that protrudes out of the bearing housing. 
 
     
     
       8. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein
 a cylindrical portion of the pin facing away from the clamping bushing is hollow and includes a free edge flanged radially outward. 
 
     
     
       9. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first bearing ring, the first bearing ring surrounding at portion of the cylindrical portion of the pin and being supported on the flanged free edge of the pin, 
 wherein an outside diameter of the first bearing ring increases in a direction along the first pivot axis toward the flanged free edge. 
 
     
     
       10. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 first rolling contact bodies of the first bearing part are arranged between the bearing housing and the first bearing ring. 
 
     
     
       11. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein
 the pin includes an intermediate portion facing the clamping bushing, 
 an outside diameter of the intermediate portion increases in a direction along the first pivot axis toward the clamping bushing, and 
 further first rolling contact bodies of the first bearing part are arranged between the intermediate portion and the bearing housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein
 the pin includes a cavity arranged to receive the clamping bushing co-axially along the second pivot axis, and 
 second rolling contact bodies of the second bearing part are arranged between a wall of the cavity and the clamping bushing. 
 
     
     
       13. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one second bearing ring surrounding the clamping bushing, 
 wherein
 the at least one second bearing ring is inclined relative to the second pivot axis, and 
 the second rolling contact bodies rest on at least one ring surface of the cavity wall. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein
 at least one free edge of the clamping bushing is flanged radially outward, 
 a respective one of the at least one second bearing ring is supported on each of the at least one flanged free edge of the clamping bushing, and 
 an outside diameter of each of the at least one second bearing ring increased in a direction along the second pivot axis toward the respective flanged free edge of the clamping bushing. 
 
     
     
       15. The pivot bearing as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a spacer ring surrounding the clamping bushing, 
 wherein
 the at least one second bearing ring includes two second bearing rings located at opposite ends of the clamping bushing, and 
 the spacer ring is located axially between the two second bearing rings and is configured to axially prestress the second rolling contact bodies located between the two second bearing rings and respective adjacent portions of the wall of the cavity. 
 
 
     
     
       16. A front wheel suspension system for a motorcycle, comprising:
 a wheel carrier; 
 at least one of trailing and transverse links arranged to connect the wheel carrier to a supporting structure of the motorcycle; and 
 at least one pivot bearing coupling the wheel carrier at least one of the at least one of trailing and transverse links,
 the at least one pivot bearing includes a first bearing part configured to permit a first component supported thereon to pivot about a first pivot axis and a second bearing part ( 38 ) which permits a second component supported thereon to pivot about a second pivot axis, 
 the first and second pivot axes intersect, 
 the second bearing part has an axial length centered on the first pivot axis, and 
 the first and second bearing parts are coupled to form a structural unit. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The front wheel suspension system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 the supporting structure of the motorcycle is at least one of a motorcycle frame and an engine housing. 
 
     
     
       18. A front wheel suspension system for a motorcycle, comprising:
 a wheel carrier in a form of a telescopic fork; and 
 at least one pivot bearing coupling the wheel carrier to a supporting structure of the motorcycle, 
 wherein
 the at least one pivot bearing includes a first bearing part configured to permit a first component supported thereon to pivot about a first pivot axis and a second bearing part ( 38 ) which permits a second component supported thereon to pivot about a second pivot axis, 
 the first and second pivot axes intersect, 
 the second bearing part has an axial length centered on the first pivot axis, and 
 the first and second bearing parts are coupled to form a structural unit. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The front wheel suspension system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein
 the supporting structure of the motorcycle is at least one of a motorcycle frame and an engine housing.